Page 25 of Mine to Love

CHAPTER EIGHT

I reach around my neck and loosen the tie that’s choking me before I remember I’m not wearing one. Holden and Emerson wanted a casual wedding in the backyard of our parent’s beach house, and for the groomsmen to wear khakis and white button-downs, sans the ties.

Yet my throat tightens. It isn’t from my attire, but from Reese’s stunning beauty. The other bridesmaids are gorgeous too. Skylar is glowing, especially since she and Nick announced their pregnancy last month. Camilla could roll out of bed after a late-night bender and look perfect. They’re both beautiful in their pale green dresses.

But Reese. Damn.

She floats down the deck stairs onto the lawn holding a simple bouquet of white and pink flowers. Her cheeks are rosy and her smile wide as she gives one final glance over her shoulder probably making sure Emerson is good to go.

“I shouldn’t be nervous. I’m not nervous. I just want to see her,” Holden says under his breath.

As best man, I have a front row seat—or rather stance—to see the women walk down the aisle. The star of the show will be coming down any second, but my attention is trained on Reese as she smiles to her left and to her right, and then up at Holden. She gives him a wink and an excited grin, then meets my gaze.

Her smile stills then drops to a flat line. We avoided each other last night at the rehearsal dinner. She stayed glued to Emerson’s side, doting on her while also making sure her father was tended to, which Camilla and my mother saw to as well.

I stayed busy with my brothers while drifting the occasional glance Reese’s way. The bride and groom won’t need help from their best man and maid of honor today, so with our duties done, there isn’t much left to do other than enjoy the afternoon.

And stare at Reese. She moves to her left to stand next to Camilla and Skylar, and Logan forces his attention on Emerson. She’s perfect for my brother. Holden struck gold when he found her. She comes from humble beginnings and is happy with Holden’s simple lifestyle.

Her father walks her down the aisle and hands her off to Holden. I half-listen to the minister as he drones on about love, marriage, commitment, and family. We may have been born with a silver spoon in our mouths, but our parents raised us to work for our own money and make a name for ourselves. Holden has done that with his antique car restoration business.

Nick invested well and played hard in his twenties, and now owns an entertainment center that houses an excellent pub, bowling alley, arcade, and new outdoor mini golf course. Skylar is a nurse, and they’re both amazing parents.

Cami has made a name for herself as well, ironically, without using the Pierce name. Not that we’re a household name, but anyone in Austin would see the connection. She used her sense of style and personality to be one of the top social media influencers, and often comes to me for business advice.

I’m proud of my siblings for doing something they love. They had the strength and courage to follow their dreams straight from high school. Meanwhile, I’m still searching for mine.

The crowd cheers, and Holden scoops Emerson in his arms, planting a long, slow kiss on her lips. I can’t help but grin. My brothers and father have a way with their women, sweeping them off their feet and worshiping the ground they walk on. I hope Cami finds someone to treat her the same.

She’s young, not even twenty-six. Maybe in another five years. Meanwhile, the calendar keeps flipping years on me, not that I have any plans on settling down by a certain age. Eventually, sure, but not while I’m still growing my business. Businesses. Plural. Buying out the credit union is the first step in my transition.

The music starts, some dance song that Emerson and Reese had picked out, and I watch as the bride and groom rush down the center aisle, waving and laughing to friends and family in the chairs.

I was guaranteed only two times when I could touch Reese. Now, escorting her down the aisle, and the first dance. We wait until Emerson and Holden disappear around the corner of the house, then I hold out my arm for Reese.

She loops her arm through mine without looking at me, and I guide her across the lawn.

“They look happy,” I say.

“They are happy. It’s a Cinderella story.”

“I’m pretty sure Holden would puke if he heard anyone refer to him as a prince. He’s too humble for that.”

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